Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has voiced concerns over the state’s slowed development over the past 18 months due to ethnic unrest, calling for accelerated recovery as the situation stabilizes.
At a press conference marking the launch of the Swachhata Hi Seva cleanliness drive on Tuesday, Singh described the development slowdown as unfortunate. He emphasized the need to address both ongoing ethnic issues and the critical task of advancing development to recover lost time.
Singh noted that key sectors such as startups, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), sports, education, and agriculture have been significantly impacted by the unrest. He underscored the necessity for economic revitalization, with particular focus on agriculture, food processing, and handloom industries.
In terms of infrastructure, Singh announced plans for constructing concrete roads in Imphal to mitigate monsoon damage, with savings from this project allocated to rural and hill areas. Similar infrastructure projects are proposed for hill district headquarters.
Singh also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for approving 16 new Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar canteens, which will provide affordable goods to the public. He concluded by emphasizing the media’s role in reporting responsibly and avoiding incitement to violence.
